Box 6, Folder 3, Newcom Tavern - Correspondence: 1935 - 1940
Most of this correspondence is from or to Miles S. Kuhns.
February 22, 1935
From the Dayton Historical Society.
An invitation to Miles S. Kuhns to attend a presentation given by Rev. Martin Luther Peter on genealogy.
May 15, 1935
To the Committee of Rev. M. L. Peter, Miss Edith R. Davies and Mrs. Adam Schantz.
A committee has been appointed for nominating officers of the Dayton Historical Society. Due to Mr. Kuhn's illness, he will not be a nominee for any office; however, he'll be helping the committee.
May 26, 1935
From the Dayton Historical Society.
An invitation to attend a meeting given by Charles J. Moore on "Early Banks and Bankers in Dayton."
May 27, 1935
To Mr. Walter Behm and Mr. Charles W. Slagle, both bankers in Dayton.
An invitation to both for Mr. Charles J. Moore's presentation.
October 2, 1936
From Walter F. Muth, President of Muth Brothers, Inc., Dayton, Ohio to the Dayton Historical Society.
This is a proposal submitted by Muth Brothers, Inc. for the moving of the Newcom Tavern from its present location to the new site at Patterson Boulevard at an estimated cost of $3633.
October 13, 1936
To Eugene G. Kennedy, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns informs Mr. Kennedy about the estimate from the Muth Brothers and hopes that the money will come from the trust that they have established for the Society; otherwise, they have to take another action. He also tells him that the city is ready to cooperate in respect to the land.
October 13, 1936
To Mrs. Adam Schantz.
Mr. Miles S. Kuhns informs Mrs. Schantz, Chair of the House Committee, about the estimate given by Muth Brothers.
October 28, 1936
From the Chair of the Trustees (name not given but probably Miles S. Kuhns from the postscript) to Mr. Charles E. Foreman.
The Chair of the Trustees is asking Mr. Foreman to submit a proposal for the moving of the Newcom Tavern from its present location to the proposed new site at Patterson Boulevard and Monument Avenue.
November 23, 1936
To Mrs. Adam Schantz.
Mr. Kuhns informs Mrs. Schantz about the proposal submitted by Foreman.
Note:
A copy of the proposal is not attached.
April 23, 1937
From Edith R. Davies to Mrs. A. H. Dunham.
Mrs. Davis is writing to Mrs. Dunham to verify that she will be willing to serve as Secretary on the Nominating Committee for the Dayton Historical Society.
October 18, 1938
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Alice Hall, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Fitzgerald is suggesting to Miss Hall several possible speakers on topics of interest to the Historical Society.
May 27, 1939
From Roy G. Fitzgerald, President of the Dayton Historical Society to Edward V. Stoecklein, Director of Public Welfare.
Mr. Fitzgerald is writing to the Director of the Department of Public Welfare about the enclosure of the Cabin based on the proposal submitted by Schenck and Williams; he thinks that this will be an expensive process and doubtful value as a preservative measure. He mentions different solutions and wants Stoecklein's opinion on these.
Attached:
Undated
To Mr. Miles Kuhns.
Mr. Fitzgerald is asking Mr. Kuhn’s opinion of the letter above.
August 21, 1939
From Ellis P. Legler, Dayton, Ohio.
The law firm of Legler and Murray is writing to Miles S. Kuhns with respect to the Fred Beaver Trust Fund donated to the Dayton Historical Society. According to this letter, the terms of this gift were that the money had to be used before December 31, 1935 and not to be spent on the erection of a building. He said that Mr. Frank L. Canby who had also acted as executor of the M. Beaver estate, tried to bring this to the attention of the Society, but no action was taken.
Attached:
August 25, 1939
To the members of the Board of Trustees of the Dayton Historical Society.
Mr. Kuhns is reminding the board members of the letter above and he insists that an action should be taken.
August 26, 1939
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Harry I. Schenck.
This letter was "personal and urgent" sent to the company. He insists that something should be done with respect to an enclosure for the Newcom Tavern so that the $10,000 would not be lost.
August 28, 1939
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Mrs. Adam Schantz.
Apparently Mrs. Schantz informed Mr. Fitzgerald previously about repairs needed at Newcom Tavern, and Mr. Fitzgerald is telling Mrs. Schantz that action will be taken up at the next meeting.
August 30, 1939
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Harry J. Williams.
Apparently the architects did reply back to Mr. Fitzgerald, but Mr. Fitzgerald is telling the architects that the question is still how to give the greatest protection to the Tavern for the amount given ($10,000). Copies of this letter were sent to the members of the board.
August 30, 1939
From Fred O. Eichelberger, Dayton, Ohio.
The City Manager of Dayton, Mr. Eichelberger, is providing a way to carry out the plan for the preservation of Newcom Tavern. The city should own the property to make the project eligible under W. P. A. regulations.
September 5, 1939
From Harry I. Schenck to Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Schenck is replying to Mr. Fitzgerald and expresses his concerns about steps to be taken to preserve the Newcom Tavern. Mr. Beaver originally had expressed the idea of enclosing the Tavern similar to Lincoln's birthplace, but this would be costly and the money will not be enough. He thinks the best way to preserve it would be to treat it with creosote chemical or other preservatives instead of enclosing it.
September 7, 1939
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Mr. H. I. Schenck.
He is asking the architects to come up with a reasonable enclosure for the Tavern in the amount of $10,000 since the money was given only for the making of an enclosure and nothing else.
September 18, 1939
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Miles S. Kuhns.
Mr. Fitzgerald informs Mr. Kuhns that he has appointed a committee to try to get waivers so the money can be used for the care, maintenance and preservation of the Newcom Tavern; otherwise, the money will be lost. A postscript saying that a corrected design of their contemplated Dayton Historical Medal was submitted to him by Carl Neutzenholzer.
November 6, 1939
From Ellis P. Legler.
The lawyers who represent Mr. Beaver's estate are willing to talk with Mr. Kuhns within a week with reference to the fund donated by Mr. Beaver.
Attached:
November 14, 1939
To Ellis P. Legler.
Mr. Kuhns informs Mr. Legler as to how much money they spent and what they have at the present time; more details to follow.
Attached:
November 14, 1939
To Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Kuhns is enclosing the letter from Mr. Legler and needs his opinion of what to do next.
November 15, 1939
From Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Fitzgerald is giving advice to Mr. Kuhns on how to approach Mr. Ellis Legler. Based on the advice given by the architect he suggests that a lesser sum might be set aside for general preservation and the donation divided between the Historical Society and the residual legatees.
November 17, 1939
To Ellis P. Legler.
Mr. Kuhns informs Mr. Legler that he received his report and that he had been in touch with Mr. Fitzgerald, who is the President of the Dayton Historical Society. He is asking him to take the matter directly to Mr. Fitzgerald.
December 11, 1939
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Harry I. Schenck.
Apparently Mr. Fitzgerald tried to get some idea of what had been done for other old buildings similar to the Tavern; he got information on what was done to the tailor's shop of President Andrew Johnson in Greenville, Tennessee. He is enclosing the information and asks for his opinion.
December 30, 1939
From Harry I. Schenck to Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Schenck received the letter that Mr. Fitzgerald had sent him showing the enclosures of Andrew Johnson's house and is giving the price and size of a structure that can be built for about the same amount of money or maybe a little more. However, he is still telling him that treatment of the wood would preserve the life of the structure rather than the building of an enclosure.
Attached:
December 30, 1939
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to H. I. Schenck.
Mr. Fitzgerald is thanking Mr. Schenck for giving consideration to his previous letter; he will look into what other solutions are good for treatment and is asking his opinion.
January 30, 1940
From Carroll A. Hochwalt of Monsanto Chemical Company, Missouri to Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Hockwalt informs Mr. Fitzgerald that the permatol, the solution for the preservation of the Tavern, has been received from St. Louis, and he is willing to demonstrate its application on the Tavern.
February 2, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Mrs. A. Schantz.
Mr. Fitzgerald is enclosing a copy of the January 30 letter from Monsanto Chemical Company. He is asking her to communicate with the other members of the House Committee to determine when the trial application could be made.
February 21, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Thomas and Hochwalt Laboratories.
Mr. John Tietsworth has been hired to repair and preserve the Newcom Tavern. Mr. Fitzgerald is explaining the process for treatment as it was given to him by the contractor.
March 1, 1940
From Carroll A. Hochwalt, St. Louis, Missouri to Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Monsanto is willing to provide the permatol preservative free of charge. A paint application is very much recommended rather than spraying.
March 9, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Miss Gertrude M. Bonholzer.
Mr. Fitzgerald is thanking Miss Bonholzer for all the interest she has shown and help that she has given to the Historical Society. He is suggesting an outing or expedition to be organized by the Society to nearby historical sites as well as campaigning for membership.
March 14, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Eugene G. Kennedy, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Fitzgerald talked to Edward V. Stoecklein, Director of City Welfare, and he thinks that it would be more feasible to have the city undertake the work of moving the log cabin to a new site. It is not necessary for the Society to give up title to the structure, and the city would be satisfied to have the Dayton Historical Society choose a better location. McKinley Park is highly recommended.
March 15, 1940
From Carroll A. Hochwalt, Dayton, Ohio, to Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Apparently the Thomas and Hochwalt Laboratories have an office in Dayton; Mr. Hochwalt is writing to inform Mr. Fitzgerald that the main office from St. Louis has made arrangements to send permatol chemical, a 55 gallon drum, directly from the Laboratory and arrangements will be made with Mr. Tietsworth to pick it up.
April 12, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Gertrude M. Bonholzer, Dayton, Ohio.
Apparently their next meeting will be their annual meeting, and Mr. Fitzgerald wants to be prepared with an interesting agenda. Relocation of the Tavern is the most important and also some kind of memorial for Mr. Beaver.
April 30, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Miles S. Kuhns and to the Committee on the Newcom Tavern Fund.
Apparently everything was completed for the treatment of the Tavern, and the chemical was donated by the Monsanto Chemical Company of St. Louis. To conclude this project, Mr. Fitzgerald believes that, since the enclosure was impractical, five to six thousand dollars should be set aside and the rest returned to the estate.
May 18, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Fred O. Eichelberger, Dayton, Ohio.
The City Manager, Mr. Fred Eichelberger, wrote a letter to Mr. George B. Smith for the Dayton Historical Society and it was forwarded to Mr. Fitzgerald.
May 24, 1940
From H. S. Wilson, Cincinnati, Ohio to Miles S. Kuhns.
This firm provides a film called "Hidden Enemies" that educates the public about termites. They are asking the Society to see it and eventually to provide Terminix Insulation for their Institution.
May 30, 1940 [?]
From H. W. Starick, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Starick from the Dayton City Planning Board is sending a list of people to attend the meeting at his office on May 31. On the list are Mr. Kuhns, Mr. E. G. Kennedy, and Mr. Bert Klopfer.
June 3, 1940
From E. L. Fellman to the Committee for the Newcom Tavern (Miles S. Kuhns, Andrew V. Thomas, Eugene Kennedy, Judge O. B. Brown).
Mr. Fellman is writing with respect to further protecting the building by providing the service that Terminix Insulation provides to many historical shrines and buildings.
June 20, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Eugene G. Kennedy.
Mr. Fitzgerald is concerned that Mr. Kuhns has not acknowledged his letter of June 20, and he is concerned that things might be more complicated if something happens to Mrs. Beaver.
June 27, 1940
From Dr. O. B. Kneisly to Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Dr. Kneisly, who is a member of the Federated Improvement Association of Dayton and Montgomery County, gives his opinion to Mr. Fitzgerald for the movement of the Newcom Tavern to Deeds Park. He is concerned about the safety of the building, because many valuable items that were donated in the past to the Society were lost from inside the building during the flood.
June 27, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Colonel Edward A. Deeds, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Fitzgerald presents his concerns about the decision on a permanent location for the Tavern, and is asking Colonel Deeds for help in the matter.
June 29, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to William M. Pettit, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Fitzgerald informs Mr. Pettit that he is happy if the Cabin stays where it is after Mr. Ahlers' reasonable explanations. He wants to preserve the Cabin and also secure the $10,000 provided by Mr. Beaver.
July 11, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Miss Gertrude Bonholzer.
Mr. Fitzgerald is thanking Miss Bonholzer for the responsibility she takes to keep the Historical Society alive. As for the selection of the new location for the Tavern, conflicting opinions exist. The decision to move it to Patterson Boulevard and Monument Avenue was opposed by city officials. Mr. Ahlers and Colonel Edward A. Deeds also believe that Deeds Park is more appropriate. The main concern of Mr. Fitzgerald is the loss of the money if they don't do something before Mrs. Beaver dies.
October 22, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Miles S. Kuhns.
Mr. Fitzgerald wants to have an estimate prepared of the cost and repair of the Tavern and Mr. Canby wants to have a meeting in Mr. E. Kennedy's office with Mrs. F. L. Beaver, Mr. Ellis Legler, attorney for the estate, Mrs. A. H. Dunham, Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Kuhns.
On the opposite page:
October 24, 1940
From Miles S. Kuhns to Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Kuhns says he has again asked Mr. Williams to proceed with restoration plans and bids.
October 24, 1940
From Eugene Kennedy to Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Kennedy commends Mr. Fitzgerald for his persistence in trying to do something about the Cabin and will be happy to meet with any of the concerned parties anytime.
October 24, 1940
To Schenck and Williams.
Mr. Kuhns wants to have the estimate for the next meeting.
October 28, 1940
From Eugene Kennedy to Roy G. Fitzgerald.
A listing of specifications for the rehabilitation of the Newcom Tavern is given to Mr. Fitzgerald. This was submitted to six contractors for bids. He wants the work to proceed as quickly as possible.
October 29, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald.
He is thanking Mr. Kuhns for his previous letter and sending copies to the members of the committee; he wishes not to have any changes for it might delay the program.
October 31, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Apparently they had their meeting, and Mrs. Beaver allowed them to keep the fund for the up-keep and repairs of the Tavern.
November 13, 1940
From H. J. Williams.
Mr. Williams is explaining in detail the process for the reconstruction of the Tavern. It was difficult to secure good contractors; the most satisfactory method would be to take out the first floor saving the top finish floor for relaying later on. A new basement will be built, a new toilet and a new heating system and electric wiring. Certain doors and windows will be replaced. The estimated price is $6,000 - $7,000.
November 14, 1940
From Miles S. Kuhns to the Committee.
Mr. Kuhns is enclosing the letter that Mr. Williams sent him and asks them to read it carefully; he wants a meeting on November 18 at 3:30 at his office.
November 15, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Fitzgerald informs Mr. Kuhns that he received a letter from Schenck and Williams and says that the estimate did not include the treatment of the wood with the chemical he also thinks that they should save some money for miscellaneous expenses.
November 16, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Mrs. Beaver.
Mr. Fitzgerald is sending a copy of the letter sent to him by Schenck and Williams Company.
November 28, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Eugene G. Kennedy.
Apparently Mr. Kennedy(?) wrote a draft for a petition of the Historical Society for the approval by the court on the practical application of the $10,000 fund from Mr. Beaver. Mr. Fitzgerald is giving some wording on how it can be rephrased.
December 9, 1940
To Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Kuhns is sending a copy of the final petition to Mr. Fitzgerald.
December 9, 1940
To Herbert S. Beane, City Attorney, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns is sending the petition to the city attorney for action in reference to the Newcom Tavern.
December 11, 1940
To Bessie M. Moore, A. J. Kause, Ellis P. Legler, Eugene Kennedy, Roy G. Fitzgerald, Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Kuhns informs everyone that the matter will be heard by Judge Wiseman, December 18, 1940, at 2:00.
December 11, 1940
To Mrs. Adam Schantz.
Mrs. Schantz is the Chair of the House Committee for the Newcom Tavern, and Mr. Kuhns informs her that the rehabilitation of Newcom Tavern may proceed within a few days. All contents of the Tavern should be carefully removed until the work is completed.
In the same letter the following notes are written:
December 13, 1940
To Arthur J. Kause.
Mr. Kuhns is enclosing the waiver for the Historical Society's case with the petition which was filed in the Probate Court.
December 13, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Fitzgerald is thanking Mr. Kuhns for informing him about the date of the hearing and wants to know if all parties have been served or have waived service.
On the opposite page:
December 13, 1940
Mr. Kuhns informs that all parties waived except the Dayton Baptist Union represented by Arthur J. Kause.
December 14, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Eugene G. Kennedy.
Mr. Fitzgerald is concerned that the Dayton Historical Society's petition to change the terms of the Fred Beaver Trust Fund will be contested and wants to know if the Society's legal counsel is adequately prepared.
December 23, 1940
From Roy G. Fitzgerald to Eugene C. Kennedy.
Roy G. Fitzgerald is thanking Mr. Kennedy for sending him a draft of the Declaratory Judgment. Apparently the petition to change the terms of the Fred Beaver Trust Fund was approved and Roy G. Fitzgerald has some suggestions for the wording of the Judgment.
December 24, 1940
To Eugene Kennedy.
Mr. Kuhns has arranged a meeting at the office of Schenck and Williams to go over the plans for the operation for Newcom Tavern.
December 24, 1940
To Schenck and Williams.
Mr. Kuhns informs Schenck and Williams that they'll be meeting with them.
December 31, 1940
To Mrs. Adam Schantz.
Mr. Kuhns informs Mrs. Schantz that the builders are ready to do the preliminary work at the Tavern.
December 31, 1940
To Schenck and Williams.
Mr. Kuhns is sending the permit for work on Newcom Tavern.